Nome Public Schools Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 10 in a regular meeting at the Nome Elementary School library.

During the beginning of the meeting, Sitnasuak Native Corporation presented Nome Public Schools with a donation of $11,500. Ukallaysaaq Tom Okleasik, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Sitnasuak, shared the corporation’s willingness to support the local schools and more specifically three areas of interest, including providing frames for the Inupiaq Values posters in the schools, implementing the Nome Elementary School’s new mascot, the Nome Elementary Nanauyaat (young polar bears) and supporting the Nome-Beltz rifle team.

Several students at Nome-Beltz High School are participating in Winterim classes, which run from January 9 to 20, covering a variety of topics ranging from culinary arts to yoga to engine repair. In her report, Student Representative Megan Contreras shared positive feedback from the parka sewing class she is attending this Winterim. Nome Beltz Jr/Sr. High Principal Jon Berkeley shared in his report that the fourteen Winterim groups have an average of ten participants each.

In his report, Superintendent Shawn Arnold addressed the continuing need for teachers. Last year was the fewest education applicants the state has ever seen. The board plans to send a representative to upcoming spring job fairs in Anchorage, Portland, Minneapolis and Austin to recruit new talent.

Anvil City Science Academy Lead Teacher Lisa Leeper reported that ACSA was awarded $2,600 from the Alaska Council on the Arts to bring in artist in residence Katie Cueva for the “Artists in Schools” project. Cueva will teach ACSA students various dance forms from around the world.

During the meeting, December students of the month were recognized: Kerry Ahmasuk of Nome-Beltz Sr. High, Brooke Edgar of Nome-Beltz Jr. High and Katie Smith of ACSA. November’s teacher of the month, Dr. Kristin Riall, was presented with her certificate. The December teacher of the month was Cultural Studies Teacher Josie Bourdon. Superintendent Arnold described Bourdon as, “one of the backbones of our district.”

In other business, the board approved administrator contracts and an executive session was held, with classified negotiations. There was no public comment. The board will resume on Tuesday, January 24 for an extensive work session at 5:30 p.m. in the Nome Elementary School library. Topics to be discussed include: reading lists, text purchases, FY18 budget reductions, security cameras, along with other items. Parents and the public are encouraged to attend.